Omedetou, Miss Japan!

Riyo Mori, 20, was completely surprised after being crowned Miss Universe in Mexico City on Monday night. Mori, who majored in classic ballet in Canada, said she hopes to become a Broadway dancer. The 174-cm-tall Mori takes over from Kurara Chibana who was runner-up in last year's finals. Mori is the second Miss Japan to win the title. Japan first won the Miss Universe crown in 1959 in the person of Akiko Kojima, who was also the first asian to win the title.

I woke up early today to watch the pageant. I was excited to see how Miss Philippines, Ana Teresa Licaros, would fare against the other 76 candidates. But i was utterly disappointed at the apparent predictability of the selection. As usual, included in the Top 15 were Miss India, Miss USA and Miss Venezuela. Again, Miss Philippines settled for the Miss Photogenic as consolation. We should be given a hall of fame for bagging this special award ever since they started the internet voting.

This year's Miss Universe saw an Asian invasion with the inclusion of four Asian women on the Top 15 - Miss India, Miss Thailand, Miss Korea and Miss Japan. A memorable moment happened when Miss USA, Rachel Smith, slipped during the Evening Gown competition and fell down on her behind. She stood up, all poised, and smiled to the cheering crowd.